Albuquerque Meetings Update - Winter 2010
Why Meet in Albuquerque?
Award-Winning Service
No matter what size the meeting, we assign a dedicated manager to take care of all your needs. Big or small, every meeting here gets the same award-winning personal service that we're famous for. Albuquerque CVB was recently recognized with a
Gold Service Award by
Meetings & Conventions magazine for the
13th consecutive year. This prestigious award commends ACVB’s Convention Services staff for the outstanding service and professionalism they deliver to meeting planner clients on a daily basis.
Hotel News
Following a $30 million, multiple-year renovation, the former La Posada de Albuquerque reopened this fall as the
Hotel Andaluz. The property was New Mexico native Conrad Hilton's fourth hotel and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The renovated hotel includes environmentally responsible design incorporated into the historic building, a new Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, a roof-top lounge and a cultural center showcasing the
arts and culture of the area.
Opening fall of 2010, the
Hotel Parq Central is sure to turn heads with its mix of modern and classical themes. The new hotel will be a fusion of art deco and modern elements. The boutique property was formerly a historic hospital built in 1926 by the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe Railroad. This new addition to Albuquerque's downtown hotel offerings will bring a new air of elegance and charm, with several styles of guest rooms, a rooftop patio, and beautiful
gardens to accent the outdoor experience of this boutique hotel.
The
Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel is undergoing a $6.5 million total renovation. After the renovations are complete, the 276-room hotel will become a Sheraton property and earn itself a four-star rating. The renovation is expected to be completed in 2010.
The
Radisson Hotel Albuquerque is opening their indoor water park on March 12th. The water park features indoor/outdoor waterslides, a lazy river, activity pool, wading pool, indoor/outdoor adult spa, a two person interactive wave rider, over 26 water play features and more.
Upcoming Tradeshows
Visit with us at these upcoming tradeshows:
- February 20 - 23: MPI MeetDifferent in Cancun, Mexico
- February 25: Destinations Showcase in Washington, DC
- May 19 - 22: Society of Government Meetings Professionals (SGMP) in Kansas City, MO
- May 27: Springtime (ASAE) in Washington, DC
Buyer Education Trip, April 23 - 26
Albuquerque is offering a Meeting Planner Buyer Education Trip on April 23 - 26. This is open to qualified meetings with a minimum of 100 rooms peak and 300 room nights total. For further information, contact a sales manager at
meet@itsatrip.org.
Meet the Convention Sales Staff
The Albuquerque CVB recently announced the promotion of Larry Atchison to Vice President of Convention Sales, Services & Sports. In his new position, Atchison will have the primary responsibility of directing the convention and
sports sales initiatives within the bureau. Meet the convention sales staff and what markets they handle.
Larry Atchison - Vice President of Convention Sales, Services & Sports
Markets: Convention Center: Hobby/Vocational, Meetings/Conventions/Tourism Industry, Recreational, Religious
Member: NCBMP, RCMA, PCMA, AMPS and SGMP
Experience: 27 years in the hospitality industry and 16 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater
I chose to live in Albuquerque because of the great weather.
Don Griego - Senior National Sales Manager
Markets: Convention Center: Educational, Government/Public Administration/Affairs, Heritage/Patriotic/Veterans, Labor Unions, Military Reunions, Trade/Commercial/Business
Member: MPI
Experience: Over 7 years in the hospitality industry and 5 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Services Management
I chose to live in Albuquerque for the amazing weather - 310 days of sunshine, the delicious New Mexican cuisine, the majestic Sandia Mountains and the friendly, wonderful people.
Bonnie Newlin - Senior Sales Manager - Washington, DC
Markets: Lead Generation
Member: ACOM, PCMA, MPI, SGMP, AMPS and CVB Reps
Experience: 5 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management & Economics; Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration
I love the cultural diversity and the mountains.
Anita Sahi - Senior National Sales Manager
Markets: Non-Convention Center: Ethnic, Government/Public Administration/Affairs, Labor Unions, Trade/Commercial/Business
Member: PMPI and SGMP
Experience: 12 years in the hospitality industry and 11 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science & International Relations
I felt at home from the first time I came here as a foreign student to the University of New Mexico.
Julie Taylor, CMP - Senior National Sales Manager
Markets: Convention Center: Agriculture, Corporate, Cultural/Fine Arts/Libraries, Environmental, Ethnic, Fraternal, Health/Medical, Insurance, Manufacturing, Science/Engineering/Technical/Computers
Experience: Over 20 years in the hospitality industry and 4 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance, Voice & Violin; Master of Divinity
I moved to Albuquerque because I managed conferences here and I loved it.
KC Flores - National Sales Manager
Markets: Non-Convention Center: Agriculture, Educational, Fraternal, Heritage/Patriotic/Veterans, Hobby/Vocational, Military Reunions, Recreational, Religious
Member: NMSCA
Experience: 12 years customer service in food & beverage industry and 2 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration
I love the climate, culture and cuisine.
Jacob B. Quintana - National Sales Manager
Markets: Non-Convention Center: Corporate, Cultural/Fine Arts/Libraries, Environmental, Health/Medical, Insurance, Manufacturing, Meetings/Convention/ Tourism Industry, Science/Engineering/ Technical/ Computers
Member: MPI- PMPI Chapter, PCMA and ASAE
Experience: Over 11 years in the hospitality industry, all with full-service hotels and in 1st year with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Services Management
Albuquerque is a great place to raise a family, beautiful weather, red and green chile, and the absolute beauty of the state.
Dan Ballou - Director of Sports Marketing
Markets: Convention Center/Non-Convention Center Sports
Member: Sport & Recreation Law Association and NASC
Experience: 11 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management & Marketing. Currently pursing PhD in Sports Administration at the University of New Mexico
I enjoy the process of seeing a sports event grow from the initial bid process to the actual occurence of the event.
Tara Alarid - Sports Marketing Coordinator
Markets: Convention Center/Non-Convention Center Sports
Member: NASC
Experience: 3 years with ACVB
Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science
I love sports, so bringing sports events to Albuquerque comes naturally.
Contact Albuquerque CVB at: